Commenting on the new GST tax slabs, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal on Friday called it a ‘historic decision by the NDA”. Goyal, while addressing the media in Delhi on Friday, said that GST reforms are the “most transformative initiative”, adding that “everyone will get benefits before Navratri”. He added that the Modi government has streamlined India’s tax structure to make business easier.
GST has lowered tax burden, says Goyal
Goyal compared it to the Congress era, when multiple taxes like VAT and Central Tax made the system complicated. He noted that GST slabs were decided jointly by the Centre, state governments, and even opposition-ruled states, making it a collective reform.
Goyal added that during the pandemic, the Centre provided five years of compensation to states. According to him, GST has lowered the tax burden on essentials like FMCG products, cosmetics, food items, and daily-use goods, which benefits the poor, middle class, farmers, and women. He called the reform one of the most historic changes since Independence.
Goyal slams Congress, praises GST reform
The minister accused Congress of corruption and failing to bring transformative reforms during their rule. He said the economy was weak before 2014 and that Congress made promises without taking real action. He added that after the launch of GST in 2017, the paperwork and tax burden have reduced year after year, despite opposition parties spreading confusion and false claims.
Goyal also recalled that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had first envisioned a unified tax system, but the UPA government failed to act on it.